Phils Sign Romero to 3 years

The Phillies signed left-handed reliever J.C. Romero to a three-year contract extension over the weekend.Â Â The deal is worth $12 million, and includes a club option for 2011 that would bring the total value to $16.75 million.Â I think most will agree that this is a good signing.Â There is no guarantee that Romero will pitch like he did in September over the next three years, but at this point, considering the state of the Phillies bullpen without Romero this was a necessary move.Â The 2008 bullpen is thus shaping up as follows:

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I’d like to see Mathieson…condrey was a bit shaky. Rosario got hit hardio. Matt Smith was great the year before, can he bounce back? is he even healthy? it thought he had tommy john.

I still think the Real Deal has had some flashes; both on the field and in the pan. Mateo is a wife-beater but a vet, I dont hold grudges. Zagurski could probably benefit as a September call-up, especially if Smith is on. Alfonseca gutted up and anchored our ‘pen in some real tough stretches, but obviously ran out of gas late in the season.

I still can’t believe what a patchwork cluster-F our bullpen (not to mention the rotation) was this year and we still made the playoffs. maybe all the pitchers on this list benefit from the MLB experience and step up a notch?

Kyle Lohse…not too careful in that list are we? Lohse is a FA and will not sign a contract with the Phillies to be anything but a starter. To answer your question, I would like to see Joe Bisenius, JD Durbin, Scott Mathieson and Julio Mateo. Bisenius is a hard thrower, Durbin can also start in a pinch, Mathieson is iffy and Mateo supposedly has some heat.

I agree with Greg re Condrey. While he certainly improved, there were times throughout the season where he was absolutely hopeless, and couldn’t throw a strike unless he offered a meatball when behind the hitter, with predictable results.
I would like to see the Phils use the bullpen slots to bring along young pitchers, like Carrasco and Outman. Shield them from pressure, but give them work. In short, set them up for success in a low-key role. As they get comfortable, migrate them either into key bullpen roles or spot starting. Knowing the Phightin’s, there will be ample opportunities for a rotation or key bullpen job soon enough…